Agricultural

Definition

Agricultural is an adjective that pertains to agriculture, the practice of cultivating land, growing crops, and raising livestock for human use and consumption. It describes anything related to or used in farming and the production of food, fiber, and other products from plants and animals.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective

Pronunciation

American and British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌæɡrɪˈkʌltʃərəl/
• Respelling: AG-ri-KUL-chuh-ruhl

Etymology

The word "agricultural" is derived from "agriculture," which originates from the Latin "agricultura," a combination of "ager" meaning "field" and "cultura" meaning "cultivation." The term entered English in the 15th century and has since been used to describe matters related to farming and cultivation.

Derivatives

• Agriculture (noun)
• Agriculturist (noun)
• Agriculturalist (noun)
• Agronomics (noun)
• Agronomy (noun)

Synonyms

• Farming
• Agrarian
• Horticultural

Antonyms

• Industrial
• Urban
• Nonagricultural

Usage

The adjective "agricultural" is widely used to describe industries, activities, or equipment related to farming and the production of food. For example, "The agricultural sector plays a crucial role in the economy," or "They use agricultural machinery to improve efficiency in crop production." It is also applied to educational or governmental sectors, such as "agricultural policies" or "agricultural studies."

Related Terms

• Agronomy: The science of soil management and crop production.
• Agroecology: The study of ecological processes applied to agricultural production.
• Agroforestry: The integration of trees and shrubs into agricultural land.

Detailed Definitions

Adjective

• Relating to the science, art, or business of cultivating the soil, growing crops, and raising livestock: Describes anything associated with farming and agriculture.
  • Example: "The region’s economy relies heavily on agricultural activities."
• Relating to tools, machinery, or policies used in farming: Refers to equipment, practices, or regulations designed for or supporting agriculture.
  • Example: "Advancements in agricultural technology have increased productivity."